Liposuction is an incredibly versatile procedure. While it’s commonly used on larger areas like the abdomen and thighs, liposuction is effective at targeting many different parts of the body. In fact, you can have liposuction performed everywhere from your face to your knees.
Through this localized procedure, patients can contour various parts of their body. This is not a weight loss procedure — in fact, one should only expect to lose between 5 and 11 pounds as a result of this surgery. Instead, liposuction should be thought of as a “body reshaping” procedure. This is done by removing subcutaneous fat, which is the fat located directly underneath the skin, to both contour and improve proportions.
At his Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based practice, Dr. Mark Bosbous has assisted countless patients in achieving their body goals with liposuction. Here are some of the areas that liposuction can treat, including the most and least common options.
Chin and Neck
Do you have a double chin? Liposuction may be able to help.
A small pocket of fat underneath the chin can soften the jaw and give the appearance that one has two chins. This is even the case in people who are relatively lean.
By removing subcutaneous fat from this area and other portions of the upper neck, a surgeon can create a more defined jawline.
Liposuction alone may not be enough to produce this effect. If there is significant skin laxity or jowling, a surgeon may recommend pairing liposuction with another procedure.
Upper Arms
Some people are concerned about excess fat in their arms. This may be because their arms have a loose, flabby appearance, or simply that their arms appear disproportionate to the rest of their body.
No matter the reason for the procedure, liposuction can do wonders to reshape your upper arms.
If your upper arm skin has good elasticity, it may naturally contract after fat removal, creating a slimmer contour. However, if there’s substantial hanging or loose skin, which can happen after major weight loss or simply as a consequence of aging, it may be more appropriate to seek an arm lift.
Alternatively, a surgeon may recommend both procedures in conjunction, or separate skin tightening procedures.
Abdomen and Waist
Most people don’t know this, but the abdomen and waist are among the most common areas treated with liposuction.
These are areas that are often constant sources of stress. Whether one has extra fat along the stomach that won’t go away with weight loss, or persistent “love handles,” liposuction may be the perfect option to make your body look the way you’ve always wanted.
By treating one or several areas with liposuction, you can smooth the transition between the abdomen, waist, and back. This gives your body a cleaner, more toned look.
Naturally, not all abdominal issues can be corrected with liposuction. For example, some abdominal shapes are the result of visceral fat. This is fat located around internal organs which cannot be removed with liposuction.
Depending on the issue, skin quality, age, and other factors, a surgeon may recommend just liposuction, or suggest a tummy tuck or combination of the two procedures.
Back and Bra-Line Area
Fat can accumulate across the upper and lower back. This typically manifests as a “fullness” around the bra line, beneath the shoulder blades, or across the lower back and waist.
This fullness can be a major stressor for some. As a result, they may seek liposuction to have it removed.
Much like liposuction around the hips and waist, removal of fat in these areas can smooth the transition between the upper and lower body. In fact, a surgeon may recommend pairing back liposuction with liposuction of the hips and waist.
Knees, Calves, and Ankles
Not all lower-leg fullness consists of removable fat.
For example, someone may have large calves, but that may be primarily due to muscle or their underlying skeletal anatomy.
That said, there are cases where fat buildup in the legs can lead to a shape some may dislike. In these situations, a surgeon may recommend targeted liposuction. This can be done around the inner knee, calves, and ankles.
Given that much of the legs’ volume comes from muscle, it’s important to have a long conversation with your surgeon about your desires and what is actually possible using liposuction alone.
Conclusion
Liposuction is not a way to shed pounds. Instead, it’s a method for reshaping the body — and one that works in more areas than you might think.
If you are interested in liposuction, reach out today to schedule a consultation.